Personal recovery is a persisting concern for people with psychotic disorders. Accordingly, mental health services have adopted frameworks of personal recovery, prioritizing adaptation to psychosis alongside symptom remission. Group acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for psychosis aims to promote personal recovery alongside improved mood and quality of life.

The objectives of this uncontrolled, prospective pilot study were to determine whether ‘Recovery ACT’ groups for adults are a feasible, acceptable and safe program within public mental health services, and assess effectiveness through measuring changes in personal recovery, wellbeing, and psychological flexibility.

Program feasibility, acceptability and safety indicators were collected from referred consumers (n=105). Adults (n=80) diagnosed with psychotic disorders participated in an evaluation of ‘Recovery ACT’ groups in Australian community public mental health services. Participants completed pre- and post-group measures assessing personal recovery, wellbeing, and psychological flexibility.

Of 101 group enrollees, 78.2% attended at least one group session (n=79); 73.8% attended three or more, suggesting feasibility. Eighty of 91 first-time attendees participated in the evaluation. Based on completer analyses (n=39), participants’ personal recovery and wellbeing increased post-group. Outcome changes correlated with the linear combination of psychological flexibility measures.

‘Recovery ACT’ groups are feasible, acceptable and safe in Australian public mental health services. ‘Recovery ACT’ may improve personal recovery, wellbeing, and psychological flexibility. Uncontrolled study design, completer analyses, and program discontinuation rates limit conclusions.

While psychotherapy is an essential aspect of the treatment of depression, there are few studies focusing on the effectiveness of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic group therapies for depressed patients.

In this presentation, we will study the effects of a brief, 4-session psychodynamic intervention (BPI) led by a group of therapists, as inspired by the Lausanne model.

The patients were recruited in a therapeutic setting. A free consent form was completed and the ethics of research explained to each participant. Our sample consisted of 32 patients (average age = 43.81 years, sex ratio: 1M/ 4F). The therapists gathered data by completing several assessment scales after each therapy session: MADRS, ESM, EFP, HAQ-IT, EDICODE, Counter-Transfer Scale. The SPPS software (V21) was used to analyze the data.

The patients’ mean MADRS score dropped by more than 11 after the four sessions. This improvement matches a more positive and committed self-reported counter-transference of the therapists towards the patients. As their insight increases, patients show greater behavioral and psychic activity. We name this exit of the depressive inhibition the “unfreezing” process. It enables more satisfactory human interactions and a more focused and structured self-narrative.

BPI led by a group of therapists seem to be an effective therapeutic adjuvant in the “unfreezing” of the psychic processes in depressive patients. Our results point out the importance of jointly aiming at symptomatic improvement and therapeutic alliance.

No significant relationships.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an equal method of treating patients with end stage renal disease ( ESRD). The patients are left to themselves in the new situation. The psychiatrist recognizes their needs and through group therapy enables them to heal quality intrapsychic conflicts.

The study analized data on the intensity of depression, anxiety of an individual patient respectively, but also of his family member (caregiver) too. The control questionnaires are foreseen for both groups one year after group therapy participation. The assumption is that symptoms of depression and anxiety will be less expressed with group support by the psychiatrist.

Two questionnaires were used: Hamilton’s rating scale for depression and Hamilton’s anxiety rating scale and identical questionnaires for member of the family caring for the patients. 13 patients who accepted group therapy were examined in our institution. They were of different gender and age, mean age 53±13.46 mini-max 25-72 years.

Average months of dialysis duration 29.15±21.84 min-max 6-84 Dialysis was performed without an assistant but with some help n 13( 100%) from the patient. They describe ailments from anxiety (30.77%) and depression ( 38.46% ) which they did not have premorbidly, and feel rejected on the emotional sphere, although not on the part of organic medicine.

Emphasis is placed on the emotional state and needs of the patient with severe physical ailments, in other words, demanding treatment methods, as well as the importance of emotional support from family members without whom these patients would have a poorer quality of life.

No significant relationships.

The Cognitive Disorders Unit carries out sessions of Psychoeducational Groups (PG) for caregivers of patients diagnosed with cognitive impairment (CI). The aim is to educate about the disease, improve the caregiver’s self-care and learn how to take better care of the sick.

Analyze the profile of the caregivers that participate in PG and assess changes in their psychological state.

Subjects: 110 caregivers of patients diagnosed with mild-moderate CI who have participated in PG. Methodology: sociodemographic data of the caregiver and patient are collected. The following scales are passed: General-Health-Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Global-Deterioration-Scale, Barthel-Index. 5 sessions of 90 minutes are carried out every fortnight. An opinion questionnaire and the GHQ-12 are administered at the end of the sessions.

86% of caregivers are women: 37% spouses and 55% daughters; mean age 57; 92% of patients live with the caregiver. 62% of caregivers present some kind of psychological disorder that is significantly reduced (p=0,0003) after some sessions. After PG: 65% of caregivers are able to further enjoy their daily activities 46% improve concentration capacity 42% improve sleeping and mood. Opinion Questionnaire Results: 98% of caregivers are satisfied with the activities, the topics addressed and their applicability.

The participants in PG were mostly daughters of patients, with average age 57, and living in the same household. Participation in PG improves the information and skills of caregivers, and reduces psychological disorders by improving their mood, their ability to concentrate, their quality of sleep and enjoyment of daily activities.

The Covid-19 pandemic has limited the classic psychotherapy treatment. EAP provided temporary recommendations for online psychotherapy in March of 2020 which brought new possibilities and limitations and contains rules, ethics and techniques. From the perspective of a psychodynamic therapist, the specificity of online group psychotherapy in the context of strong stressors is described.

During the “lockdown” period and the earthquakes that occurred simultaneously in Zagreb in March of 2020, the secure Internet platform enabled the continuity of the group’s work in a video link modality.

Online group had regular weekly meetings which lasted 1.5 hours. The classic rules of group analytical therapy were adapted to the new setting in virtual space. A risk assessment was also performed.

The six group members and therapist have connected online through more freedom, developed new levels of sensitivity, flexibility and creativity. They have also accepted limitations. The online group is able to provide holding, but deeper connections require a physical presence to exchange emotions that technology interferes with as well as the process of empathizing. Previous live sessions crucial to maintaining emotional connections have served as reservoirs for a period in which communication over the Internet was insufficient.

Internet technology can temporarily enable the continuity of a group psychotherapy. Technical and institutional support is recommended. The advantages of technology can be used if the technique is adapted, realistic goals set, and clinical limitations accepted. Many questions about the possibilities of “online psychotherapy” are open and unexplored.

No significant relationships.

Evidence supports the use of group therapy for symptom reduction and improving functioning in people with psychosis. However, research guidelines highlight the importance of establishing the feasibility of interventions. Adherence is an important indicator of feasibility and an essential step in supporting the development of the evidence base for group interventions. This review aims to estimate adherence, and possible barriers and facilitators, to psychotherapeutic groups in people with psychosis.

Embase, Ovid MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases were searched for cross-referencing terms related to group therapy and psychosis. Studies were assessed against inclusion criteria and methodological quality was evaluated. Data wasextracted from each paper including the average session attendance, demographic, clinical, study and therapy-related characteristics and the impact of these on adherence levels evaluated.

Fifty-nine original research papers were included, reporting on 52 independent studies which consisted of 66 therapy groups comprised of 2109 participants. Average adherence was 76.4% (s.d. = 17.4). Adherence was improved by receiving incentives and was higher in participants of older age. Study sample size was inversely associated with adherence levels. Study quality was variable with approximately 61.5% found to be at risk of bias. The results support the feasibility of group therapy and suggest that adherence in people with psychosis is not dissimilar to those for people experiencing common mental health difficulties. These findings, alongside efficacy evidence, support the use of group interventions in people with psychosis but also highlight the need for further high-quality research on the efficacy for these approaches.

Whilst the delivery of low-intensity group psychoeducation is a key feature of the early steps of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, there is little consensus regarding the skills and competencies demanded.

To identify the competencies involved in facilitating CBT-based group psychoeducation in order to inform future measure development.

A Delphi study in which participants (n = 36) were relevant IAPT stakeholders and then an expert panel (n = 8) review of the competencies identified within the Delphi study to create a shortened, more practical list of competencies.

After three consultation rounds, consensus was reached on 36 competencies. These competencies were assigned to four main categories: group set-up, content, process and closure. A further expert review produced a shortened 16-item set of psychoeducation group facilitation competencies.

The current study has produced a promising framework for assessing facilitator competency in delivering CBT-based group psychoeducational interventions. Weaknesses in the Delphi approach are noted and directions for future measure development research are identified.

1. (1) To identify the unique experiences and particular mental health disparities that LGBQ people face in life and why a culturally adapted LGBQ CBT group offers both a necessary and unique therapeutic tool to support sexual minorities.

2. (2) To explore how a culturally adapted CBT group intervention for LGBQ people is experienced in practice, from the service user perspective. In particular, what aspects do LGBQ people find helpful, unhelpful and what might they suggest for future group improvement.

3. (3) To consider how such CBT groups may be culturally adapted to benefit sexual minorities, including: what actions should be taken in future clinical practice to ensure improvements in the psychological treatment experiences of LGBQ people. Specifically, including the need to incorporate more inclusive and intersectional examples that engage and support recovery from psychological distress.

1. (1) To gain an overview of a transdiagnostic model of IU.

2. (2) To develop understanding of a group intervention for building tolerance to uncertainty.

3. (3) To describe some group processes observed and learn from the delivery of a transdiagnostic group intervention.

4. (4) To consider applications of transdiagnostic treatment in a group setting in IAPT.

5. (5) To understand how to structure a group treatment for IU, and which factors to consider.

After reading this paper the reader should be able to:

1. (1) Understand how instances of CBT practice can be robustly evaluated using a mixed-methods approach, including analyses of change at both group and individual levels.

2. (2) Understand critical considerations when adapting ‘evidence-based’ CBT interventions for routine practice.

3. (3) Appreciate that aggregative group-level analyses can mask clinically important differences in individual CBT outcomes.

High rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are documented within refugee populations. Although research supports effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (TF-CBT) among Western populations, little research exists for its efficacy among refugees living in camps and settlements in developing nations.

To investigate whether a culturally sensitive, group-based TF-CBT programme (EMPOWER) delivered in a Ugandan refugee settlement effectively reduced refugees’ post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and whether sociodemographic factors, trauma characteristics, or PTSS severity related to programme completion or treatment outcomes.

Data linkages were conducted on information provided by 174 Congolese refugees living in a Ugandan settlement (mean age = 33.4 years, SD = 11.7; 49% male). Using a quasi-experimental design, participants who initially completed the intervention (n = 43) delivered across nine 90-minute sessions, reported significant reductions in self-reported PTSS with a large effect size. The delayed treatment group (n = 55) also reported significant treatment gains once they received the intervention. Participants who completed the programme reported significantly greater initial PTSS severity than those who dropped out, while no sociodemographic factors, trauma characteristics or PTSS were associated with better treatment outcomes.

A culturally sensitive, group-based TF-CBT programme delivered in a refugee settlement meaningfully reduces refugees’ PTSS severity and is equally effective for all participants, with the highest retention rates found among those in greatest need of treatment. Programmes such as this, with capacity to treat hundreds of people simultaneously, represent highly cost-effective, accessible, disseminable and effective treatment for PTSS among refugees living in humanitarian settings in developing nations.